ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Leadership Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

[solidcore]

Manager, Creative & Design

Arlington, VA · On-site

You are both a creative leader and a strategic operator. You will help drive the creative content strategy and roadmap, own the brand's visual identity, build the systems that enable speed and ...

Range

Associate Creative Director, Marketing

Mclean, VA · On-site

Advertising Creative Leadership. You have a track record of concepting and directing advertising campaigns - not just executing them. You've led agencies or in-house creative teams and know how to ...

Sway Creative Labs

Art Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

What You'll Own Creative Leadership & Concepting * Lead creative concept development across integrated campaigns, bringing original, strategy-driven ideas to briefs * Serve as the creative lead on ...

Sway Creative Labs

Art Director

Norfolk, VA

$117K - $122K/yr

What You'll Own Creative Leadership & Concepting * Lead creative concept development across integrated campaigns, bringing original, strategy-driven ideas to briefs * Serve as the creative lead on ...

GRVTY

Data Visualization - Senior

Springfield, VA · On-site

Provide technical and creative leadership for graphic design and visualization initiatives. * Support executive-level briefings and strategic communications efforts. * Mentor junior visualization ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCreative Leadership JobsCreative Leadership Jobs in Virginia

Creative Leadership information

What's the highest paying creative job?

Creative leadership roles such as Creative Directors or Chief Creative Officers tend to be among the highest paying jobs in the creative field, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of branding, design, and marketing strategies.

What does a creative leader do?

A creative leader oversees the development and execution of innovative ideas within a team or organization, guiding creative projects from concept to completion. They coordinate with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders, often using tools like project management software, and require strong communication and strategic thinking skills.

What is a creative lead job?

A creative lead is a professional responsible for guiding and managing creative projects, such as advertising campaigns, branding, or design initiatives. They oversee creative teams, develop concepts, and ensure the final output aligns with client or company goals, often requiring strong leadership, communication, and industry-specific skills.

What is the difference between Creative Leadership vs Creative Director?

AspectCreative LeadershipCreative Director
Required CredentialsExperience in management, creative strategy, and industry-specific skillsSimilar; often requires a portfolio, industry experience, and leadership skills
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, oversees projects, and sets creative visionManages creative teams, directs campaigns, and ensures brand consistency
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across advertising, marketing, media, and design firmsPrimarily in advertising agencies, media companies, and branding firms

Creative Leadership involves guiding teams and setting strategic creative goals, while a Creative Director focuses on managing creative projects and campaigns. Both roles require leadership skills and industry experience, but Creative Leadership emphasizes broader strategic oversight, whereas Creative Directors are more hands-on with project execution.

What are 5 careers that require leadership skills?

Creative leadership skills are essential in careers such as project managers, marketing directors, product managers, art directors, and executive roles like CEOs. These positions require strong communication, decision-making, and team management abilities to guide teams and achieve organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Creative Leadership, and why are they important?

To thrive in Creative Leadership, you need a background in design or the arts, experience managing creative teams, and often a relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating innovative vision. Familiarity with industry-standard creative software, project management tools, and sometimes certifications in design or leadership are typically expected. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and motivate others help distinguish top creative leaders. These skills are essential for guiding teams toward impactful solutions, maintaining project cohesion, and driving creative excellence within organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Creative Leadership roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Creative Leadership roles often face the challenge of balancing innovative vision with practical constraints such as budgets, timelines, and stakeholder expectations. They must also foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity while ensuring team alignment and productivity. Addressing these challenges involves clear communication, setting realistic goals, and promoting a culture of open feedback and continuous learning. Additionally, creative leaders benefit from staying informed about industry trends and regularly seeking inspiration to keep their teams motivated and forward-thinking.

What is creative leadership?

Creative leadership is a style of management that emphasizes innovation, flexibility, and the encouragement of new ideas within a team or organization. Creative leaders inspire others to think outside the box, take calculated risks, and challenge conventional ways of doing things to drive growth and problem-solving. They foster a culture where experimentation and collaboration are valued, helping teams adapt to change and stay competitive in dynamic environments. This approach is especially valuable in industries where adaptability and fresh perspectives are crucial.
What are popular job titles related to Creative Leadership jobs in Virginia? For Creative Leadership jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Leadership jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Leadership jobs in Virginia are:
Creative Leadership jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Leadership job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.
Manager, Creative & Design

Manager, Creative & Design

[solidcore]

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

We are looking for a Manager, Creative & Design to drive creative execution and shape the visual direction of [solidcore] across all channels. You are both a creative leader and a strategic operator. You will help drive the creative content strategy and roadmap, own the brand's visual identity, build the systems that enable speed and consistency, and ensure every asset produced is rooted in a clear content plan that advances the brand. You will partner closely with Content and Brand Marketing team leads to keep creative and content aligned - from brief through delivery.

This role reports to the Director of Content and directly manages the Coordinator, Creative & Design.


 
Key Responsibilities:

Creative Leadership & Execution

  • Lead design execution from brief through final delivery across all formats and channels: including social, email, digital ads, print and in-studio signage, website, activation materials, and presentation decks

  • Own and evolve the [solidcore] visual identity, serving as the internal authority on brand standards, creative guidelines, and design systems following the "Stronger for it" brand platform launch

  • Execute design work, maintaining brand consistency and quality across all materials

  • In partnership with the Coordinator, drive and execute the creative vision for campaigns, programs and key brand moments 

  • Develop and maintain a scalable design process and system that enables speed and brand consistency across all channels and teams

Content Strategy & Planning

  • In partnership with the Director, support the creative content strategy and roadmap across the [solidcore] brand ecosystem: ensuring design and visual assets fuel a cohesive, omnichannel client experience across paid, owned and earned channels

  • Support in development of integrated content matrices in partnership with the Director and channel leads, identifying all content creation needs and translating brand strategy into clear design direction

  • Act as a thought leader within the Content team, sharing learnings and optimizations and conducting competitive landscape research to identify emerging content formats, consumer behaviors, and visual trends, communicating findings 

  • Establish and socialize best practices for creative content production, including briefing standards, approval workflows, and output requirements by channel

  • Audit creative output against content objectives and channel performance; iterate and optimize the production process accordingly

Creative Process & Ops Systems

  • Build and manage briefing, intake, and project management systems that create clarity and prioritization across the team and organization

  • Lead the management of creative requests from across the business - tracking, prioritizing, setting deadlines, and communicating proactively with cross-functional partners

  • Serve as the embedded design partner for cross-functional teams

  • In partnership with Brand Marketing, lead creative reviews with senior stakeholders, presenting work confidently and incorporating feedback constructively

Team Leadership

  • Directly manage and mentor the Coordinator, Creative & Design - providing creative direction, ongoing feedback, and a growth structure built to scale as creative needs expand

  • In partnership with the Director, proactively identify and explore new technology solutions, including AI tools, to accelerate design and creative output and keep the team at the leading edge

  • Champion a culture of craft, speed, and continuous improvement within the creative function

Qualifications:

Required

  • 6-9 years of design experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead role on an in-house brand or content team

  • Demonstrated experience owning brand identity and creative direction across multiple channels simultaneously

  • Proven ability to operate at the intersection of creative and content strategy - not just executing against a brief, but helping define what needs to exist and why

  • Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and Figma

  • Strong motion design and video editing skills - able to independently produce short-form social and paid media content

  • Experience managing creative operations: briefing systems, content calendars, project intake, asset management, and cross-functional workflows

  • Proven ability to manage up and influence without authority - comfortable presenting to senior leaders and navigating stakeholder feedback

  • Data-aware mindset: comfortable using performance insights to inform and evolve creative strategy

Preferred

  • BFA or equivalent in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related field

  • Experience in a consumer brand, retail, fitness, or lifestyle company

  • Experience managing or mentoring junior talent

  • Familiarity with Canva for template creation and field team enablement

  • Experience working with or exploring AI tools for design and content acceleration

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive salary of $70,961-$74,952, based on experience
  • Bonus eligibility based on performance
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid parental leave and parental pay benefits
  • Free telehealth services
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free drop-in classes at [solidcore]
  • And more!
[solidcore] is a national boutique fitness company with 100+ studios across the country. Our signature workout is 50 minutes of low-impact, high-intensity strength training: the lights are low and the music is loud. The coach guides the class through a series of slow & controlled movements that are sequenced to work muscles to failure. This class is accessible for all fitness levels and can be amplified or modified to accommodate individual goals. Class is as intense as our reviews suggest, but our instructors go above and beyond to provide a welcoming, supportive, empowering, and challenging experience for all. Please visit our website here to read more about our mission.

[solidcore] is firmly committed to social justice and promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can click here to find out more about the actions we are taking to promote a more diverse and inclusive space for both our clients and our internal team.

[solidcore] is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. [solidcore] makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
apply for this job

Apply